Rail

SEPTA honored for rail station design

Based on innovative engineering design and first-class upgrades to the Fort Washington, Ambler and North Wales regional rail stations, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has been named a recipient of the 2011 Brunel International Railway Design Awards.

SEPTA shares this prestigious honor with 44 projects from 12 nations, which were also recognized for design excellence by the Watford Group of International Railway Designers. An exhibit of the Brunel Awards, with large colorful panels featuring all recipients, is currently on display and open to the public at SEPTA's Market East Station, Section A. Visitors have until August 31, 2012 to view the panels.

The Brunel Awards acknowledge the best in railway architecture, engineering, landscape and environment design, product design, locomotive and car design, graphic arts and corporate branding amongst the world's railways. The competition is held every three years.

"I am extremely proud of our SEPTA team who worked on the design and construction of these three stations," said SEPTA Chief Engineer Jeff Knueppel. "The final product at each of these stations is first rate and now we can truly say world class."

The Fort Washington, Ambler and North Wales Stations reflect the character and features of their surrounding communities while maintaining classic railroad features. The renovations improved passenger amenities (signage, lighting, buildings, shelters and canopies) and increased parking. With the installation of high level platforms, ramps and staircases, the three stations are now Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.

In addition to the SEPTA stations rehabilitation designs, projects from Austria, China, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.S. are incorporated into the exhibit. For more information regarding the Brunel Awards, click here.

Economic development within one-half mile of the system has been stimulated by ridership that has exceeded original projections. Valley Metro began compiling development activity since construction started in 2005 as part of an economic development database.

The new bike car contains 14 racks that will provide more room to maneuver bicycles on and off the train. A set of seats were removed from the lower level of the vehicle to make room for the bike racks.